Brighter Than the Sun

Chapter Thirteen

I gaped, too. "No way! Who sent you that?"

"No idea," said Harry. "There wasn't a card or anything with it."

I frowned. "Nothing on the wrapping, either?"

"No."

Hermione's face fell, and she bit her lip.

"What's the matter with you?" said Ron.

"I don't know," said Hermione slowly, "but it's a bit odd, isn't it? I mean, this is supposed to be quite a good broom, isn't it?" Ron sighed exasperatedly.

"It's the best broom there is, Hermione," he said.

"So it must've been really expensive..."

"Probably cost more than all the Slytherins' brooms put together," said Ron happily.

"Well... who'd send Harry something as expensive as that, and not even tell him they'd sent it?" said Hermione.

I frowned. "That's a good point."

"Who cares?" said Ron impatiently. "Listen, Harry, can I have a go on it? Can I?"

"I don't think anyone should ride that broom just yet!" said Hermione shrilly.

Harry and Ron stared at her.

"What d'you think Harry's going to do with it — sweep the floor?" said Ron.

But before Hermione could answer, Crookshanks sprang from Seamus's bed, right at Ron's chest.

"GET — HIM — OUT — OF — HERE!" Ron bellowed as Crookshanks's claws ripped his pajamas and Scabbers attempted a wild escape over his shoulder. Jab joined the fray, scrambling out of my arms and screaming at Scabbers from the ground behind Ron. Ron seized Scabbers by the tail and aimed a misjudged kick at Crookshanks that hit the trunk at the end of Harry's bed, knocking it over and causing Ron to hop up and down, howling with pain. Jab shouted about "bed rats" as I ran past Ron and scooped him up.

Crookshanks's fur suddenly stood on end. A shrill, tinny, whistling was filling the room. The Pocket Sneakoscope had become dislodged from a pair of old socks and was whirling and gleaming on the floor.

"I forgot about that!" Harry said, bending down and picking up the Sneakoscope. "I never wear those socks if I can help it..."

The Sneakoscope whirled and whistled in his palm. Crookshanks was hissing and spitting at it.

"You'd better take those animals out of here," said Ron furiously, sitting on Harry's bed nursing his toe. "Can't you shut that thing up?" he added to Harry as Hermione and I strode out of the room, Crookshanks's yellow eyes still fixed maliciously on Ron.

"Honestly," Hermione muttered when we got back to our dorm. "He acts like Jab and Crookshanks are evil! It's natural for cats to chase rats!"

"And the Menagerie lady said that rats are part of a Jarvey's diet!" I agreed.

"He's always muttering about how boring and useless Scabbers is," Hermione said. "Why's he getting all worked up about him now?"

"Probably because he's not the only one with a pet that's constantly around anymore," I suggested. "I mean, Harry has Hedwig, but she only really comes around to deliver mail to him."

Hermione stroked Crookshanks' head. The cat jumped down from Hermione's lap and went to stand by the door like he wanted to be let out.

"No, Crookshanks," Hermione said tiredly. "We can't have Ron trying to kick you again."

Hermione looked frustrated. There was a long silence. I knew she was still upset about it, but I wanted to make sure she had a good Christmas.

"I think I've got something that'll make Crookshanks feel better," I said. "I can't believe I even forgot to wrap it! Here, Crookshanks."